Rollable sports base

ABSTRACT

A rollable sports ballast base for supporting a sports apparatus support member comprising a base member which has a first edge and a second edge, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is adapted to contact a support surface such as a driveway or other playing surface. There is at least one wheel assembly for contacting the support surface. One of the wheel assemblies is retractable from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface of the base member substantially contacts the support surface. In the lowered position, both wheel assemblies contact the support surface thereby separating or elevating the base member from the support surface. In another embodiment, the invention consists of a similar rollable sports base for supporting a sports apparatus support member wherein one wheel assembly is retractable and comprises a pivoting connector coupled to the base member and a wheel bracket coupled to the pivoting connector. The wheel bracket is adapted to receive an axle and at least one wheel, and is further provided with a handle extending outwardly from the wheel bracket. The handle is used to pivotally rotate the wheel assembly about a transverse axis such that when the handle is rotated away from the base member, the wheel contacts the support surface and the bottom surface of the base member is separated or elevated from the support surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates in general to sports assemblies andmore particularly to portable sports assemblies that are rollable.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Various types of sports assemblies, and in particular, basketballgoal support assemblies, volleyball net support assemblies and the like,have been proposed and used in the past. Such proposals have recognizedthat stability and portability are desirable if perhaps competingcharacteristics. In the past, providing both stability and portabilityin a particular construction has come at the price of requiring a morecomplex structural arrangement and, in many instances, the use ofadditional equipment to serve as a way of either transporting orstabilizing the assembly.

[0005] While there are patents which disclose the use of wheels orcasters rigidly mounted to the base of a sports assembly, one musttypically tilt the entire assembly for the wheels to engage the supportsurface. In the tilted position, the mover bears a significant portionof the assembly weight and stability. In several basketball sportsassemblies, the basketball backboard is oversized and extremely heavy.The average person is not able to readily tilt the entire assembly. Inthe event that one is able to tilt or overturn the assembly, they wouldstill have to bear a significant portion of the weight of the assemblyduring transportation.

[0006] Moreover, there are patents which disclose apparatuses havingretractable wheels that can be deployed to engage the ground. However,in some of these apparatuses, one is still required to substantiallytilt the apparatus in order to transport it. Other apparatuses whichdisclose deployable wheels typically utilize such wheels for addedsupport or stability and do not disclose deployable wheels which are theprimary means of transporting the particular apparatus.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a rollable sportsbase which is securely in contact with the ground during operation andis easily transported without having to substantially tilt the assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a rollablesports base for supporting a sports apparatus. It is a principaladvantage of the present invention to provide a sports base which isstable in operation, yet is easily transported without the need for theperson transporting the apparatus to bear the weight of the assemblyduring transportation.

[0009] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized andattained by the apparatus particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0010] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, theinvention consists of a sports ballast base for supporting a sportsapparatus support member comprising a base member having a first edgeand a second edge, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottomsurface is adapted to substantially contact a support surface. There isa wheel assembly having at least one wheel for contacting the supportsurface. The wheel assembly is retractable or displaceable from alowered position to a raised position such that when in the raisedposition, the bottom surface of the base member substantially contactsthe support surface and in the lowered position the wheel contacts thesupport surface thereby separating the base member from the supportsurface.

[0011] It is also desirable for the sports ballast base to have twowheel assemblies, a first wheel assembly and a second wheel assembly,for contacting the support surface. One or both of the wheel assembliesare retractable or displaceable from a lowered position to a raisedposition such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface ofthe base member substantially contacts the support surface. In thelowered position, both the first and second wheel assemblies contact thesupport surface thereby separating or elevating the base member from thesupport surface.

[0012] In another embodiment, the invention consists of a similarrollable sports base for supporting a sports apparatus support memberwherein the first wheel assembly is displaceable or retractable andcomprises a pivoting connector coupled to the base member and a wheelbracket coupled to the pivoting connector. The wheel bracket is adaptedto receive an axle and at least one wheel, and is further provided witha handle extending outwardly from the wheel bracket. The handle is usedto pivotally rotate the second wheel assembly about a transverse axissuch that when the handle is rotated away from the base member, thewheel contacts the support surface and the bottom surface of the basemember is separated or elevated from the support surface.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rollablesports base that is securely in contact with the ground during operationand is easily transported without having to substantially tilt theassembly.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide arollable sports base having rollers or wheels which are displaceable.

[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide arollable sports base which is easily maneuvered during transportation.

[0016] These and other objects of the present invention will becomereadily apparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings. It is understood that both the foregoing general descriptionand the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory andare intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

[0017] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a rollablesports base according to the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of the rollable sports baseof FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a rollablesports base according to the present invention utilizing a screw-jackhandle.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the rollable sports base ofFIG. 3.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rollablesports base according to the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a wheel assembly of the rollablesports base of FIG. 5.

[0024]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of arollable sports base according to the present invention depicting arecessed handle.

[0025]FIG. 8a is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rollablesports base according to the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 8b is a front view of the embodiment of the present inventionaccording to FIG. 8a.

[0027]FIG. 8c is a front view of the embodiment of the present inventionaccording to FIGS. 8a and 8 b.

[0028]FIG. 8d is a front view- of the embodiment of the presentinvention according to FIGS. 8a, 8 b, and 8 c.

[0029]FIG. 8e is a front view of the embodiment of the present inventionaccording to FIGS. 8a, 8 b, 8 c, and 8 d.

[0030]FIG. 9a is a side view of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0031]FIG. 9b is a side view of the embodiment of the present inventionaccording to FIG. 9a.

[0032]FIG. 9c is a side view of the embodiment of the present inventionaccording to FIGS. 9a and 9 b.

[0033] Similar reference characters denote corresponding featuresconsistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

[0035] The exemplary embodiment of the rollable sports base is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 and is designated generally by reference numeral 10. Asembodied herein and referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rollable sports base10 is preferably attached to a portable basketball goal assembly 5 andincludes a base member 20 which has a first edge 22 and a second edge24, and a top surface 26 and a bottom surface 28. The bottom surface 28is adapted to contact a support surface 50 such as a driveway or otherplaying surface. There is at least one retractable or displaceable wheelassembly 30 having at least one wheel 70 for contacting the supportsurface. It is preferred that there be two wheel assemblies, a secondwheel assembly 30 and a first wheel assembly 40, for contacting thesupport surface 50. One or both of the wheel assemblies are displaceableor retractable from a lowered position to a raised position such thatwhen in the raised position, the bottom surface 28 of the base member 20substantially contacts the support surface 50. In the lowered position,the wheels 70 of both the second and first wheel assemblies 30, 40contact the support surface 50 thereby separating or elevating the basemember 20 from the support surface 50, such that the base 10 isrollable. A displaceable wheel assembly has the ability to change itsposition relative to the support surface 50 and the base 10. Aretractable wheel assembly has the ability to be drawn back within thebase 10 from a position where it is displaced from the base 10.

[0036] Although it need not be present, it is desirable for the basemember 20 to have a first recession 60 in the top surface 26 of the basemember 20 and a second recession 62 in the bottom surface 28 of the basemember 20. A hole 64 is defined through the base member 20 which extendsfrom the first recession 60 through to the top surface 26. Where thereis a second recession 62, the top of the recession is essentially thetop surface 26. In practice, either one of the wheel assemblies 30, 40or both wheel assemblies 30, 40 may be displaceable. In a preferredembodiment, the second wheel assembly 30 is fixed in position such thatthe second wheel assembly 30 engages the support surface 50 duringroutine use and the first wheel assembly 40 is displaceable orretractable.

[0037] Where the first wheel assembly 40 is retractable it preferablycomprises a caster, wheel, or similar roller 70, having a top portion 72attached to the base member 20 and a retraction device 80. Theretraction device 80 has a first end 82 and a second end 84 and ispivotally attached at the second end 84 by a mounting bracket 76disposed within the hole 64 defined between the first recession 60 andsecond recession 62. The second end 84 of the retraction device 80 isadapted to engage the top portion 72 of the caster 70. It is preferredthat the caster or wheel 70 be pivotally attached to the base member 20within the second recession 62, such that downward force on the topportion 72 of the caster 70 causes the caster 70 to engage the supportsurface 50 thereby separating the base member 20 from the supportsurface 50, thus being easily transported or rollable.

[0038] As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is preferred that the retractiondevice 80 is a lever adapted to communicate with either the top surface26 or the first recession 60. The second end 84 of the retraction device80 is provided with a cam 83 thereon and the first end 82 of theretraction device is provided with a handle 81 such that when the firstend 82 is separated from the top surface 26 or the first recession 60,the second end 84 rollably communicates with the top portion 72 of thecaster 70 such that the caster 70 contacts the support surface 50 andthe bottom surface 28 of the base member 20 is separated or elevatedaway from the support surface 50, so the base 10 is rollable.

[0039] In order to provide increased maneuverability and a more securegrip, the sports apparatus support member 7 further comprises a handgrip15 positioned thereon. The handgrip 15 is preferably made of a pliablematerial such as foam rubber in order to ensure a tight grip, but can bemade of essentially any material that would serve the purpose of theinvention.

[0040] In another preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 thehole 64 in the base member 20 is adapted to communicate with threads 73provided on the top portion 72 of the caster 70. The handle 18 in thedepicted embodiment is adapted to be easily rotated about a verticalaxis perpendicular to the bottom surface 28 of the base member 20.Moreover, it is preferred that the handle 18 is adapted to slidablycontact a first recession 60 during use of the sports apparatus. Whenthe handle 18 is lifted away or separated from the first recession 60,rotation of the handle 18 about the vertical axis displaces the caster70 relative to the support surface 50. For example, clockwise rotationof the handle 18 about the vertical axis displaces the caster 70 towardsthe support surface 50, thereby eventually contacting the supportsurface 50 and elevating the base member 20 away from the supportsurface 50. Counterclockwise rotation of the handle 18 about thevertical axis will displace the caster 70 away from the support surface50 towards the base member 20.

[0041] In another embodiment of the present invention, and referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the rollable sports base 100 is preferably attached to aportable basketball goal assembly 55 and includes a base member 120which has a first edge 122 and a second edge 124, and a top surface 126and a bottom surface 128. The bottom surface 128 is adapted to contact asupport surface 150 such as a driveway or other playing surface. Thereare two wheel assemblies, a second wheel assembly 130 and a first wheelassembly 140, having wheels 172 for contacting the support surface 150.One or both of the wheel assemblies are retractable from a loweredposition to a raised position such that when in the raised position, thebottom surface 128 of the base member 120 substantially contacts thesupport surface 150 in the lowered position, wheels 172 on both thefirst and second wheel assemblies 140, 130 contact the support surface150 thereby separating or elevating the base member 120 from the supportsurface 150 such that the base 100 is rollable.

[0042] It is preferred that the second wheel assembly 130 is fixed inposition such that the second wheel assembly 130 engages the supportsurface 150. The first wheel assembly 140 is retractable and comprises apivoting connector 160 coupled to the base member 120, and a wheelbracket 170 coupled to the pivoting connector 160 adapted to receive anaxle 171 and at least one wheel 172. In the embodiment where only onewheel is present, the center of the wheel is preferably positionedbeneath the support member 7. The wheel bracket 170 is further providedwith a handle 180 extending outwardly from the wheel bracket 170 forpivotally rotating the first wheel assembly 140 about a transverse axissuch that when the handle 180 is rotated away from the base member 120,the wheel 172 contacts the support surface 150 and the bottom surface128 of the base member 120 is separated or elevated away from thesupport surface 150, such that the base 100 is rollable.

[0043] It is preferred that the base member 120 be provided with a firstrecession 121 in the bottom surface 128 and that the pivoting connector160 be coupled to the bottom surface 128 of the base member 120 withinthe first recession 121. The handle 180 comprises a first element 181which is parallel to a second element 182, each element extendingoutwardly from the wheel bracket 170. The first element 181 of thehandle 180 and the second element 182 of the handle 180 could beconnected by a linkage member 185 that is disposed between each element.The sports apparatus support member 7 would be provided with acorresponding indentation 9 therein for communicating with, and lockablyreceiving, the linkage member 185.

[0044] The base member 128 is preferably provided with a first indent123 and a second indent 125 in the first edge 122 of the base member120. The first and second indents 123, 125 are adapted to receive thefirst element 181 and second element 182 of the handle 180 respectively.When the first element 181 and second element 182 of the handle 180 arepositioned such that they slidably engage the first indent 123 andsecond indent 125, the second wheel assembly 140 is retracted in thefirst recession 121 and the bottom surface 128 of the base member 120 isin contact with the support surface 150. When the handle 180 is rotatedaway from the base member 120 the first wheel assembly 140 deploys suchthat the wheels 172 contact the support surface 150 and thereby separatethe base member 120 from the support surface 150, such that the base 100is rollable.

[0045] The pivoting connector 160 preferably comprises an upper pivotbracket 161 coupled to the base member 120, a lower pivot bracket 162pivotally connected to the upper pivot bracket 161, and a swivelconnector 163 coupled between the lower pivot bracket and the wheelbracket 170. The swivel connector 163 serves as an anti-friction devicebetween the wheel bracket 170 and the pivot bracket 162. The pivotingconnector 160 is connected to the sports apparatus 55 by an eyebolt 8provided within the support member 7, proximate the base member 120,which threadedly engages the upper pivot bracket 161. The connectionbetween the lower pivot bracket 162 and upper pivot bracket 161 enablesthe first wheel assembly 140 to swivel about the transverse axis. Theswivel connector 163 enables the first wheel assembly 140 to swivelabout a vertical axis perpendicular to the bottom surface 128 of thebase member 120.

[0046] The ability of the first wheel assembly 140 to pivot around thevertical axis is limited in order to prevent the apparatus 55 fromhyper-extending around the vertical axis. In order to limit therotation, the base member 120 further comprises a second recession 131within the first recession 121 thereby defining a flange 133 forcontacting the handle 180. The flange 133 defines a limit for an arc ofrotation about the vertical axis which the first wheel assembly 140 canrotate. Preferably, the arc is about 60 degrees (i.e. 30 degrees toeither side of the centerline).

[0047] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, and referringto FIG. 7, the rollable sports base 200 is preferably attached to aportable basketball goal assembly 255 and includes a base member 220which has a first edge 222 and a second edge 224, and a top surface 226and a bottom surface 228. The bottom surface 228 is adapted to contact asupport surface 250 such as a driveway or other playing surface. Thereare two wheel assemblies, a first wheel assembly 240 and a second wheelassembly 230, provided with at least one wheel 241 for contacting thesupport surface 250. One or both of the wheel assemblies 240, 230 areretractable from a lowered position to a raised position such that whenin the raised position, the bottom surface 228 of the base member 220substantially contacts the support surface 250. In the lowered position,both the first and second wheel assemblies 240, 230 contact the supportsurface 250 thereby separating or elevating the base member 220 from thesupport surface 250, such that the base 200 is rollable.

[0048] It is preferred that the second wheel assembly 230 is fixed inposition such that the second wheel assembly 230 engages the supportsurface 250. The first wheel assembly 240 is retractable and ispivotally coupled to the base member 220. The first wheel assembly 240is further provided with a handle 280 extending outwardly therefrom forrotating it about a transverse axis such that when the handle 280 isrotated away from the base member 220, the wheels 241 contact thesupport surface 250 and the bottom surface 228 of the base member 220 isseparated or elevated away from the support surface 250.

[0049] It is preferred that the base member 220 be provided with a firstrecession 221 in the top surface 226 for receiving the handle 280. It isalso desirable, in the present embodiment, that the first wheel assembly240 comprises two wheels 241, each disposed on opposite sides of theaxle 243. It is clear from the foregoing discussion that the retractablefirst wheel assembly 240 can be located at either the first edge 222 orthe second edge 224 of the base member 220. Additionally, depending onthe particular configuration, the handle 280 can be situated such thatit rotates away from the base member 220 or towards the base member 220.As an alternative to having a first recession 221 in the top surface226, the handle 280 may be configured to contact the support pole of theassembly 255.

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, and referring toFIGS. 8a-8 e, the rollable sports base 300 is preferably attached to aportable basketball goal assembly 355 and includes a base member 320which has a first edge 322 and a second edge 323, a first side 324 and asecond side 325, and a top surface 326 and a bottom surface 328. Thebottom surface 328 is adapted to contact a support surface 350 such as adriveway or other playing surface. There are two wheel assemblies, afirst wheel assembly 330 and a second wheel assembly 340, having wheels370 for contacting the support surface 350.

[0051] The first and second wheel assemblies 330, 340 are retractablefrom a lowered position to a raised position such that when in theraised position, the bottom surface 328 of the base member 320substantially contacts the support surface 350 and in the loweredposition, the wheels 370 contact the support surface 350 therebyseparating the base member 320 from the support surface 350.

[0052] The bottom surface 328 of the base member 320 is preferablyprovided with a first recession 361 and a second recession 362 forreceiving the first wheel assembly 330 and second wheel assembly 340respectively as shown in FIG. 8b. The first wheel assembly 330 ispositioned proximate the first side 324 of the base member 320 and thesecond wheel assembly 340 is positioned proximate the second side 325 ofthe base member 320 and each comprises a pair of wheels 370 connected toopposite ends of a first axle member 371 and a second axle member 372respectively. Each axle member 371, 372 is pivotally connected to thebase member 320 and extends from the first edge 322 of the base member320 to the second edge 323 of the base member 320. While the sportsassembly 355 is in use, the wheel assemblies 330, 340 are locked intheir respective recessions 361, 362 using methods known to one ofordinary skill in the art such as a detent mechanism or the like.Although it is preferred that the wheels 370 are mounted to axles, itwould be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to individuallymount each wheel 370 such that each one may be raised and loweredindividually. When a force is applied to the sports apparatus supportmember 7 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side324 of the base member 320, the first wheel assembly 330 is adapted todeploy such that the wheel 370 engages the support surface 350 as shownin FIG. 8c. When a force is applied to the sports apparatus supportmember in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second side 325of the base member 320, the second wheel assembly 340 is able to deploysuch that the wheel 370 engages the support surface 350 as shown in FIG.8d. When both wheel assemblies 330, 340 are deployed, the base member320 is separated from the support surface 350 such that the base 300 isrollable.

[0053] In another embodiment of the present invention, and referring toFIGS. 9a-9 c, the rollable sports base 400 is preferably attached to aportable basketball goal assembly 455 and includes a base member 420which has a first edge 422 and a second edge 423, a first side 424 and asecond side 425, and a top surface 426 and a bottom surface 428. Thebottom surface 428 is adapted to contact a support surface 450 such as adriveway or other playing surface. There is at least one wheel assembly430 having at least one wheel 470 for contacting the support surface450.

[0054] The deployable first wheel assembly 430 is deployable from alowered position to a raised position such that when in the raisedposition, the bottom surface 428 of the base member 420 substantiallycontacts the support surface 450 and in the lowered position, the wheel470 contacts the support surface 450 thereby separating the base member420 from the support surface 450.

[0055] The bottom surface 428 of the base member 420 is preferablyprovided with a first recession 461 and a second recession 462 forreceiving the wheel assembly 430. The deployable first wheel assembly430 is preferably connected to the bottom surface 428 of the base member420 by a pivot member 490. The wheel 470 is provided with an axle member471 configured to engage the base member 420 adjacent the firstrecession 461 and the second recession 462. While the sports assembly455 is in use, the wheel assembly 430 resides substantially within thefirst recession 461. Preferably, the axle member 471 engages the basemember 420 at first slots 421 adjacent the first recession 461 or secondslots 491 adjacent the second recession 462. When a force is applied tothe sports apparatus support member 7 in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the first edge 422 of the base member 420, the wheelassembly 430 is adapted to deploy such that the wheel 470 swivelstowards the support surface 450 as shown in FIG. 9b. The axle member 471is adapted to engage the base member 420 at slots 421, 491 to allow thewheel 470 to freely spin within the second recession 462 while itengages the support surface 450 as shown in FIG. 9c. When a force isapplied to the sports apparatus support member in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the second edge 423 of the base member420, the wheel assembly 430 returns to the “in use” position. When thewheel assembly 430 is configured such that the wheel 470 is engaging thesupport surface 450, the base member 420 is substantially displaced fromthe support surface 450 and the assembly 455 is easily transported.

[0056] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the rollable sports base ofthe present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. It is intended that the present invention covers any methodand apparatus related to deployable and retractable wheel assemblies fora sports apparatus. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers the modifications and variations of this invention provided theycome within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

We claim:
 1. A sports ballast base comprising: a base member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface adapted to contact a support surface; and a displaceable first wheel assembly having at least one wheel for contacting the support surface, wherein said first wheel assembly is configured to be displaced from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface of said base member substantially contacts the support surface and when in the lowered position said at least one wheel contacts the support surface thereby separating said base member from the support surface.
 2. A sports ballast base as in claim 1 further comprising a second wheel assembly having at least one wheel for contacting the support surface.
 3. A sports ballast as in claim 2 , wherein said second wheel assembly is configured to be displaced from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface of said base member substantially contacts the support surface and when in the lowered position said at least one wheel contacts the support surface thereby separating said base member from the support surface.
 4. The sports ballast base of claim 2 , wherein said base member further comprises a bottom recession in said bottom surface of said base member and a hole defined through said base member extending from said bottom recession to the top surface; said second wheel assembly is fixed in position such that said at least one wheel engages said support surface; and said displaceable first wheel assembly comprises at least one caster having a top portion attached to said base member within said bottom recession; and a retraction device having a first end and a second end, pivotally attached at said second end by a mounting bracket disposed within said hole, said second end being configured to engage the top portion of said at least one caster.
 5. The sports ballast base of claim 4 , wherein said top portion of said at least one caster is pivotally attached to said base member within said bottom recession, such that downward force on the top portion of said at least one caster causes said caster to engage the support surface.
 6. The sports ballast base of claim 4 , wherein said retraction device is a lever adapted to communicate with a top recession in the top surface of said base member, the second end of said retraction device being provided with a cam thereon such that when the first end is separated from said top recession, the second end rollably communicates with the top portion of said caster such that said caster contacts the support surface and the bottom surface of said base member is separated from the support surface.
 7. The sports ballast base of claim 6 , further comprising a handgrip positioned on the support member.
 8. The sports ballast base of claim 4 , further comprising threads on the top portion of said at least one caster for engaging said base member.
 9. The sports ballast base of claim 8 , wherein said retraction device is configured to rotate around an axis substantially perpendicular to the top portion of said at least one caster, such that rotation of said handle about the axis displaces said caster relative to the support surface.
 10. The sports ballast base of claim 2 , wherein said second wheel assembly is fixed in position such that said at least one wheel engages the support surface; and said displaceable first wheel assembly comprises a pivoting connector coupled to said base member; a wheel bracket coupled to said pivoting connector adapted to receive an axle having first and second ends and at least one wheel, said wheel bracket further provided with a handle extending outwardly from said wheel bracket for pivotally rotating said first wheel assembly about a transverse axis such that when said handle is rotated away from said base member, said at least one wheel contacts the support surface and the bottom surface of the base member is separated from the support surface.
 11. The sports ballast base of claim 10 , wherein said base member is provided with a bottom recession in the bottom surface, said pivoting connector being coupled to said base member within said bottom recession; and said handle comprises a first element substantially parallel to a second element, each said element extending outwardly from said wheel bracket.
 12. The sports ballast base of claim 11 , further comprising: a linkage member disposed between said first element and said second element; and a sports apparatus support member with an indentation for lockably receiving said linkage member.
 13. The sports ballast base of claim 11 , wherein said displaceable first wheel assembly is positioned proximate the first edge of said base member and said second wheel assembly is positioned proximate the second edge of said base member.
 14. The sports ballast base of claim 13 , wherein said base member is provided with a first indent and a second indent, in said first edge of said base member, adapted to receive said first element and said second element of said handle respectively, such that when said first element and said second element of said handle are positioned such that each element slidably engages said first and second indent, said displaceable first wheel assembly is retracted within said bottom recession and the bottom surface of said base member is in contact with the support surface.
 15. The sports ballast base of claim 13 , wherein said pivoting connector comprises an upper pivot bracket coupled to said base member, a lower pivot bracket pivotally connected to said upper pivot bracket, and a swivel connector coupled between said lower pivot bracket and said wheel bracket, such that said displaceable first wheel assembly is adapted to swivel about a vertical axis perpendicular to the bottom surface of said base member.
 16. The sports ballast base of claim 15 , wherein said sports apparatus support member is provided with an eyebolt therein, proximate said base member, for threadedly engaging said upper pivot bracket.
 17. The sports ballast base of claim 15 , wherein said base member further comprises a second recession within said bottom recession thereby defining a flange for contacting said pivoting connector, said flange defining a limit for an arc of rotation of said displaceable first wheel assembly about an axis about said sports apparatus support member.
 18. The sports ballast base of claim 9 , wherein said base member is provided with a top recession in said top surface for receiving said handle; and said first wheel assembly comprises two wheels, each disposed on opposite ends of said axle.
 19. The sports ballast base of claim 18 , wherein said first wheel assembly is positioned proximate the first edge of said base member and said second wheel assembly is positioned proximate the second edge of said base member.
 20. The sports ballast base of claim 1 , said base member further comprising a first recession for receiving said deployable first wheel assembly.
 21. The sports ballast base of claim 20 , further comprising a deployable second wheel assembly having at least one wheel for contacting the support surface; said deployable second wheel assembly being retractable from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface of said base member substantially contacts the support surface and in the lowered position said first and second wheel assemblies contact the support surface thereby separating said base member from the support surface.
 22. The sports ballast base of claim 21 , further comprising a second recession for receiving said deployable second wheel assembly.
 23. The sports ballast base of claim 22 , said base member further comprising a first edge, a second edge, a first side and a second side; wherein said first wheel assembly is positioned proximate the first side of said base member and said second wheel assembly positioned proximate the second side of said base member and each said wheel assembly comprises a pair of wheels connected to opposite ends of a first axle member and a second axle member respectively; each said axle member being pivotally connected to said base member and extending from the first edge of said base member to the second edge of said base member, such that when a sufficient force is applied to the sports apparatus support member in a direction perpendicular to the first side of said base member, said first wheel assembly deploys such that it is adapted to engage the support surface, and when a sufficient force is applied to the sports apparatus support member in a direction perpendicular to the second side of said base member, said second wheel assembly deploys such that it is adapted to engage the support surface thereby separating said base member from the support surface.
 24. The sports ballast base of claim 1 , said base member further comprising: a first recession and a second recession in said bottom surface for receiving said deployable first wheel assembly; first slots adjacent said first recession; and second slots adjacent said second recession.
 25. The sports ballast base of claim 24 , said deployable first wheel assembly further comprising an axle member for engaging said base member.
 26. The sports ballast base of claim 25 , wherein said axle member engages said first slots and said second slots in said base member.
 27. The sports ballast of claim 26 , further comprising a pivot member pivotally connecting said deployable first wheel assembly to said base member such that said deployable first wheel assembly is adapted to communicate with said first recession in the raised position and swivel to communicate with said second recession in the lowered position. 